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We are recognised internationally for our pioneering approaches to systems biology and to computational modelling of the heart.

A translucent scan of a surface fish in which the heart is shown in three distinct sections (red, yellow and green) © Mathilda Mommersteeg
The developing fish heart

Understanding heart disease using experimentation and computational physiology

The mission is to innovate and develop avenues of basic research using multi-scale experimental and computational techniques (from molecule to myocardium). The Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre is uniquely placed in Oxford to do this, because of its onsite linking of experimentation with integrative modelling. The centre is also a key component of Oxford’s BHF funded Centre of Research Excellence.

The challenge is to re-assemble the vast array of experimental data emerging over different spatial and temporal domains. The opportunity is provided by massively enhanced computing power, enhanced visualisation systems, guided by innovative and ground-breaking experimental work.

The aspiration is to exploit the predictive power of integrative biology, to tackle major issues in cardiac medicine (eg arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, regenerative medicine and repair).

The key to success is the close interplay between teams of experimentalists and computational biologists that underpin and complement the disease-led programmes of research within Clinical Departments of the Medical Sciences Division. Importantly this theme maps onto ion channels & signalling, developmental biology, genomics and metabolism which all cut across Cardiac Science.



Groups within this theme

Cellular mechanisms of oxygen and acid sensing in arterial chemoreceptors
Buckler Group

Cellular mechanisms of oxygen and acid sensing in ...

Optimising cardiac stem cell therapy by finding the best conditions for the cells in the lab and in the heart
Carr Group

Optimising cardiac stem cell therapy by finding ...

Regulation of blood and lymphatic vessel development
De Val Group

Regulation of blood and lymphatic vessel ...

Abnormal metabolism in type 2 diabetes, and how this affects the heart
Heather Group

Abnormal metabolism in type 2 diabetes, and how ...

Local neuromodulators of cardiac autonomic control
Herring Group

Local neuromodulators of cardiac autonomic control

Iron Homeostasis- Mechanisms and importance in systems (patho)physiology
Lakhal-Littleton Group

Iron Homeostasis- Mechanisms and importance in ...

Heart regeneration & development
Mommersteeg Group

Heart regeneration & development

Intracellular calcium signalling in health and disease
Parekh Group

Intracellular calcium signalling in health and ...

Gene Transfer of Nitric Oxide Synthase into Cardiac Nerves Modulates Neurotransmission
Paterson Group

Gene Transfer of Nitric Oxide Synthase into ...

Human systems physiology: Respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic function in response to stresses such as exercise and hypoxia
Robbins Group

Human systems physiology: Respiratory, ...

Cardio-immuno genomics
Simões Group

Cardio-immuno genomics

Development, homeostasis and regeneration of the cardiovascular system
Smart Group

Development, homeostasis and regeneration of the ...

Investigating the Genetic and Environmental Causes of Congenital Heart Disease
Sparrow Group

Investigating the Genetic and Environmental ...

Acid handling and signalling in the heart and in cancer
Swietach Group

Acid handling and signalling in the heart and in ...

Development and Application of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
Tyler Group

Development and Application of Cardiac Magnetic ...

Cyclic Nucleotides signalling
Zaccolo Group

Cyclic Nucleotides signalling

Latest news

Failing hearts can use different fuels, and prefer fat over sugar

An exciting new collaborative study from RDM and DPAG researchers has found that fat metabolism could be the key to tackling heart failure.

Fellowship to Jose Prius Mengual paves the way to new genetic therapy for epilepsy

Congratulations are in order to Dr Jose Prius Mengual who has been awarded an Emerging Leader Fellowship Award from Epilepsy Research UK and the Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA). With this award, Dr Mengual will develop a new genetic therapy to rebalance protein levels in the neurons affected by epilepsy to prevent seizures.

Fellowship to Hugo Fernandes paves the way to improved treatment options for dementia

Congratulations are in order to Dr Hugo Fernandes who has been awarded a sought after Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Research Leader Fellowship. With this award, Dr Fernandes will reveal the role of dysfunctional lipid metabolism in dementia using innovative self-designed tools and models to identify new therapeutic targets.